Lt. Cmdr. V'Len Kel - Dog eat dog
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Don K
Feb 24, 2026, 9:33:55 AMFeb 24
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((Bridge, Deck 3, USS Ronin))
T'Fearne: If it’s Sheliak in charge onboard, they are precision-obsessed. Notoriously legalistic isolationists who treat territory and contracts as their way of life. They rarely bluff. ::a beat:: We could stall? Ask for time to review their legal claim to the system and the moon research base. We do have a JAG officer onboard. Lieutenant Morrow. If we also have access to any of the base’s personnel perhaps they could provide information useful for buying more time.
It wasn't completely clear, but the commander of the newly arrived vessel seemed to be Sheliak, and very impatient. V'Len need time. Time to get his people out and time to get the reactor under control. There was also the complexity of the "temporal black hole", which added a whole new dimension of complexity. He hoped Shortrith and Tucker were close to a solution.
Kel: Good thinking. =/\= Kel to Lieutenant Marrow, I'm in need of some legal advice. =/\=
Wren: ::reluctantly:: It’s possible that, since they’re precision….based, they’re giving us such a short window as a mere formality. Perhaps they know that it isn’t enough time, but have offered it to us regardless just so that they can say they did? oO That’s not a kind thought to have, but we should prepare ourselves for the worst while hoping for the best Oo
Morrow: =/\= Sure thing, Captain. Just remember, I charge by the hour, so please take your time. =/\=
V'Len suppressed a chuckle. Like Jack Kessler, Jack Marrow seemed to be a man confident in his own worth.
Nicolau: Response
T'Fearne: If they value the base or its research, they won’t risk destroying it outright. They would have to send a force to the surface to eliminate or capture our people and secure any projects or data. ::highlighting an area above the base one the screen:: If we position ourselves tactically between their ship and the moon base, they may hesitate to fire on us for caution of hitting the moon base.
V'Len sat down in the command seat once more.
Kel: Move us to 100km above the habitat module. Keep us clear of the radiation stream coming from the lid.
Wren: We’re almost in position, sir.
Nicolau: Response
Once more the Ronin was in motion slowly sinking toward the surface. V'Len was concocting his next communication to the Alliance vessel when the comms came to life.
tr’Kharis: ::clipped, cool tone, almost matter-of-fact:: =/\= This is Administrator tr’Kharis to this vessel's security! You are about to have a Tholian intruder onboard at my present location. Reinforcements would be… prudent. =/\=
V'Len's eyes went wide and he hurried to tap his combadge.
Kel: =/\= Security! Intruder alert in the transporter room ::glancing at his data screen:: Deck 6. =/\=
V'Len trusted that one of the many security officers aboard would see to the situation.
T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
Kel: Ensign Wren any new information from our probe?
Wren: I’m not- ::noticing a change:: Yes, they’ve activated their transporter, we might want to tell our team on the ground to expect visitors soon.
Morrow: =/\= You called me Cap… =/\=
V'Len's cheeks warmed. He'd forgotten that the helpful attornye was standing by and he was getting charged for it. He'd need a fresh shipment of Saurian Brandy to cover his debts before all this was over.
T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
Kel: Ok. Let's open a channel. ::waiting:: =/\= Alliance vessel. As this is unclaimed territory, I require an additional 20 minutes to determine our legal requirements in this situation. Please stand by. =/\=
oO I hope this buys us some time. Oo
Wren: Sir, regarding that data…. I actually do have a copy of it. It’s a little incomplete, but I downloaded a copy of it while we were on the surface. I can upload it to our ship’s computer so that we have a more permanent copy.
Morrow: =/\= Captain, I suggest, having them one, produce the proper paddwork, and two show you a deed or something that ties them to the station below. Usually, they have those papers on demand, but I’m betting they’ll have to take time to dig them up; they're not here for a parlay. Might not be much time, but every little bit counts. =/\=
Kel: Good thinking Mr. Marrow. Ensign Wren, check the data from the outpost down there. If there are any items of Federation technology make a note. T'Fearne let the surface know they may have more company soon.
T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
Wren: Of course, I can do that now ::starts making a copy::. It’s surprisingly informative considering the state of the base when we found it, but-
Wren: ::quickly:: They’ve powered their weapons back down, but the probe is destroyed. We’re close enough now that normal communication is possible, but we’ve lost any ability to see what’s going on inside the other ship. ::allows herself a small moment of sadness for the loss of the probe, before continuing her work::
Morrow: =/\= Well, at least we know they mean business. Do you need me to come up there? =/\=
Kel: Affirmative Mr. Marrow. Bring you biggest law padds.
V'Len wondered if perhaps a wig and a robe would help impress on the Sheliak that they were taking the legal status of things seriously.
T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
Wren: I’ve almost finished downloading the information to our main memory system. No response from the other ship thus far. I think that was more of a warning shot than anything else oO And a passive-aggressive one at that Oo.
Morrow: =/\= All right, I’ll be up in a minute, let me grab a couple of things.=/\=
Kel: Alright, now we wait for our legal department.
T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
For a few moments the bridge was calm. The presence of the large vessel on the screen lent an air of tension to the room. V'Len glanced several times at the data terminal on his command chair hoping to see the reactor below powering down. So far there was nothing. The hiss of the turbolift doors caused V'Len to look up and see the ship's JAG officer trotting onto the bridge.
Morrow: You order a lawyer?
Kel: ::chuckling:: Apparently. ::indicating the chair next to him:: Thankfully not for medical malpractice.
Wren/T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
A trill of computerized tones let V'Len know that they were being hailed. He nodded to the group of officers on the bridge to open the channel. Then he stood up. The Sheliak spoke first.
B’hab: =/\= Speak carefully, or your own words may doom you, Commander Kel…. =/\=
V'Len was a bit taken aback that he was known to the vessel's commander. How much more did his enemy know than he did.
Kel: =/\= I'm afraid you have me at a loss Commander. I think perhaps formal introductions are in order. =/\=
V'Len knew that introductions in such proceedings took time. There were formal titles, family history and name conventions to address. The Administrator did not seem to be much for formalisms
B’hab: =/\= ::he waved a cloaked hand dismissively:: I simply do not care for your excuses, Commander. =/\=
Kel: ::giving marrow an uncertain look. =/\= I'm afraid they are not excuses. We are accounting for Federation items on the surface. If there is any patent infringement we are required to rais those issues.=/\=
Marrow/Wren/T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
The channel went silent, but V'Len could see the vessel moving on the screen before them. They were coming around behind them.
Kel: T'Fearne what's our shield status? =/\= I object to your rushing my work here. The more you interfere the longer this will take. Now could we see the documents confirming your claim to this system. ::beat:: I'll need that in triplicate of course. =/\=
Marrow/Wren/T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
B’hab: =/\= You’re lucky we’re not boarding you right now, Captain. From what I can tell is you have an internal problem; it must be my Tholian counterparts. =/\=
Now V'Len waved his hand dismissively.
Kel: =/\= I have people to deal with that and let me assure you any damage done will be considered an infarction. =/\=
V'Len glanced at Marrow, hoping he had more input to provide.
Marrow/Wren/T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
B'hab: Response
Tags/TBC
--
T'Fearne: If it’s Sheliak in charge onboard, they are precision-obsessed. Notoriously legalistic isolationists who treat territory and contracts as their way of life. They rarely bluff. ::a beat:: We could stall? Ask for time to review their legal claim to the system and the moon research base. We do have a JAG officer onboard. Lieutenant Morrow. If we also have access to any of the base’s personnel perhaps they could provide information useful for buying more time.
It wasn't completely clear, but the commander of the newly arrived vessel seemed to be Sheliak, and very impatient. V'Len need time. Time to get his people out and time to get the reactor under control. There was also the complexity of the "temporal black hole", which added a whole new dimension of complexity. He hoped Shortrith and Tucker were close to a solution.
Kel: Good thinking. =/\= Kel to Lieutenant Marrow, I'm in need of some legal advice. =/\=
Wren: ::reluctantly:: It’s possible that, since they’re precision….based, they’re giving us such a short window as a mere formality. Perhaps they know that it isn’t enough time, but have offered it to us regardless just so that they can say they did? oO That’s not a kind thought to have, but we should prepare ourselves for the worst while hoping for the best Oo
Morrow: =/\= Sure thing, Captain. Just remember, I charge by the hour, so please take your time. =/\=
V'Len suppressed a chuckle. Like Jack Kessler, Jack Marrow seemed to be a man confident in his own worth.
Nicolau: Response
T'Fearne: If they value the base or its research, they won’t risk destroying it outright. They would have to send a force to the surface to eliminate or capture our people and secure any projects or data. ::highlighting an area above the base one the screen:: If we position ourselves tactically between their ship and the moon base, they may hesitate to fire on us for caution of hitting the moon base.
V'Len sat down in the command seat once more.
Kel: Move us to 100km above the habitat module. Keep us clear of the radiation stream coming from the lid.
Wren: We’re almost in position, sir.
Nicolau: Response
Once more the Ronin was in motion slowly sinking toward the surface. V'Len was concocting his next communication to the Alliance vessel when the comms came to life.
tr’Kharis: ::clipped, cool tone, almost matter-of-fact:: =/\= This is Administrator tr’Kharis to this vessel's security! You are about to have a Tholian intruder onboard at my present location. Reinforcements would be… prudent. =/\=
V'Len's eyes went wide and he hurried to tap his combadge.
Kel: =/\= Security! Intruder alert in the transporter room ::glancing at his data screen:: Deck 6. =/\=
V'Len trusted that one of the many security officers aboard would see to the situation.
T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
Kel: Ensign Wren any new information from our probe?
Wren: I’m not- ::noticing a change:: Yes, they’ve activated their transporter, we might want to tell our team on the ground to expect visitors soon.
Morrow: =/\= You called me Cap… =/\=
V'Len's cheeks warmed. He'd forgotten that the helpful attornye was standing by and he was getting charged for it. He'd need a fresh shipment of Saurian Brandy to cover his debts before all this was over.
T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
Kel: Ok. Let's open a channel. ::waiting:: =/\= Alliance vessel. As this is unclaimed territory, I require an additional 20 minutes to determine our legal requirements in this situation. Please stand by. =/\=
oO I hope this buys us some time. Oo
Wren: Sir, regarding that data…. I actually do have a copy of it. It’s a little incomplete, but I downloaded a copy of it while we were on the surface. I can upload it to our ship’s computer so that we have a more permanent copy.
Morrow: =/\= Captain, I suggest, having them one, produce the proper paddwork, and two show you a deed or something that ties them to the station below. Usually, they have those papers on demand, but I’m betting they’ll have to take time to dig them up; they're not here for a parlay. Might not be much time, but every little bit counts. =/\=
Kel: Good thinking Mr. Marrow. Ensign Wren, check the data from the outpost down there. If there are any items of Federation technology make a note. T'Fearne let the surface know they may have more company soon.
T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
Wren: Of course, I can do that now ::starts making a copy::. It’s surprisingly informative considering the state of the base when we found it, but-
Wren: ::quickly:: They’ve powered their weapons back down, but the probe is destroyed. We’re close enough now that normal communication is possible, but we’ve lost any ability to see what’s going on inside the other ship. ::allows herself a small moment of sadness for the loss of the probe, before continuing her work::
Morrow: =/\= Well, at least we know they mean business. Do you need me to come up there? =/\=
Kel: Affirmative Mr. Marrow. Bring you biggest law padds.
V'Len wondered if perhaps a wig and a robe would help impress on the Sheliak that they were taking the legal status of things seriously.
T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
Wren: I’ve almost finished downloading the information to our main memory system. No response from the other ship thus far. I think that was more of a warning shot than anything else oO And a passive-aggressive one at that Oo.
Morrow: =/\= All right, I’ll be up in a minute, let me grab a couple of things.=/\=
Kel: Alright, now we wait for our legal department.
T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
For a few moments the bridge was calm. The presence of the large vessel on the screen lent an air of tension to the room. V'Len glanced several times at the data terminal on his command chair hoping to see the reactor below powering down. So far there was nothing. The hiss of the turbolift doors caused V'Len to look up and see the ship's JAG officer trotting onto the bridge.
Morrow: You order a lawyer?
Kel: ::chuckling:: Apparently. ::indicating the chair next to him:: Thankfully not for medical malpractice.
Wren/T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
A trill of computerized tones let V'Len know that they were being hailed. He nodded to the group of officers on the bridge to open the channel. Then he stood up. The Sheliak spoke first.
B’hab: =/\= Speak carefully, or your own words may doom you, Commander Kel…. =/\=
V'Len was a bit taken aback that he was known to the vessel's commander. How much more did his enemy know than he did.
Kel: =/\= I'm afraid you have me at a loss Commander. I think perhaps formal introductions are in order. =/\=
V'Len knew that introductions in such proceedings took time. There were formal titles, family history and name conventions to address. The Administrator did not seem to be much for formalisms
B’hab: =/\= ::he waved a cloaked hand dismissively:: I simply do not care for your excuses, Commander. =/\=
Kel: ::giving marrow an uncertain look. =/\= I'm afraid they are not excuses. We are accounting for Federation items on the surface. If there is any patent infringement we are required to rais those issues.=/\=
Marrow/Wren/T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
The channel went silent, but V'Len could see the vessel moving on the screen before them. They were coming around behind them.
Kel: T'Fearne what's our shield status? =/\= I object to your rushing my work here. The more you interfere the longer this will take. Now could we see the documents confirming your claim to this system. ::beat:: I'll need that in triplicate of course. =/\=
Marrow/Wren/T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
B’hab: =/\= You’re lucky we’re not boarding you right now, Captain. From what I can tell is you have an internal problem; it must be my Tholian counterparts. =/\=
Now V'Len waved his hand dismissively.
Kel: =/\= I have people to deal with that and let me assure you any damage done will be considered an infarction. =/\=
V'Len glanced at Marrow, hoping he had more input to provide.
Marrow/Wren/T'Fearne/Nicolau: Response
B'hab: Response
Tags/TBC
Lieutenant Commander V'Len Kel
Acting-Captain
Chief Science Officer/Second Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
T239811VK2
He/Him (player/character)
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